Watch Paparazzi

Singer Justin Bieber spotted wearing Cartier

Justin Bieber was photographed wearing the Cartier Santos-Dumont in a two-tone steel and rose gold configuration during what sources identify as a GQ magazine editorial session. Shirtless, heavily tattooed, and crouched in an outdoor setting, Bieber's wrist carries the clean rectangular silhouette of the Santos with a quiet confidence that cuts against the maximalist jewellery typically associated with pop celebrity dressing.

The Santos-Dumont occupies a singular place in watchmaking history. Louis Cartier designed the original piece in 1904 at the request of Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont, who needed a readable timepiece that left both hands free during flight. The large model measures 38.5 mm × 47.5 mm, keeping the elongated rectangular proportions that reference the original pocket-watch-to-wristwatch conversion. The two-tone execution — brushed 316L steel case body married to a polished rose gold bezel secured by eight iconic exposed screws — is a relatively recent addition to the Santos-Dumont lineup, adding warmth without abandoning the model's studied restraint.

The silvered satin-brushed dial with a subtle sunburst guilloche finish sits behind a sapphire crystal. Roman numerals in black, blued steel sword-shaped hands, and Cartier's signature cabochon sapphire crown complete a dial architecture that has changed remarkably little in over a century. The piece runs on a quartz movement, a deliberate choice by Cartier for the Santos-Dumont line to keep the case profile ultra-slim — a mechanical movement would require a deeper case and compromise the flat, elegant wearability that defines the model.

For collectors, the Santos-Dumont occupies an interesting niche: it is not the sports-oriented Santos de Cartier with its integrated bracelet, but rather a dress-watch interpretation with alligator strap that rewards the wearer who understands its lineage. The two-tone variant, pairing rose gold and steel, has attracted attention since its release for offering a more accessible entry into bi-material luxury than comparable offerings from Patek or Rolex.

At a retail price of approximately $5,600, the Cartier Santos-Dumont two-tone represents one of the more accessible pieces in the maison's current catalogue. Grey market values track close to retail, reflecting healthy but not frenzied demand. For Bieber, whose watch collection spans Richard Mille and Patek Philippe, this Cartier sighting suggests a genuine appreciation for the quieter end of haute horlogerie.